Beginning a seven-game homestand against the division-leading Pawtucket Red Sox — who had won three in a row to move into first — didn't seem ideal.

But a strong outing from Cole Irvin helped the IronPigs end a two-game skid and top the Red Sox.

The quick-working Irvin was a big reason for the 2:18 game time as he threw seven innings of one-run ball allowing just five hits. He struck out five and only allowed two hard-hit balls. One was a harmless double in the gap, the other a solo shot with two out in the seventh.

Lehigh Valley jumped on the board early with their leadoff hitter Dean Anna scoring on a Trevor Plouffe sacrifice fly. Plouffe also knocked in the IronPigs' final run in the seventh grounding into a force out.

Stat of the day: The IronPigs have improved to 9-5 at Coca-Cola Park with a 73-50 run differential.

HOW THEY SCORED

Bottom 4: Joey Meneses led off the inning with a single and scored three batters later when Anna grounded out. Heiker Meneses reached on a force out and scored on a two-out single by Colin Cowgill. IronPigs 3-0.